2.23.2015

Best Drugstore-Exclusive Beauty Buys

Hey you! How was your weekend? Did you watch the Academy Awards? I was in awe of the dresses, the jewels, the makeup, the hair, and the price tag that came with it all. A girl can dream, right? Well, today forget about those expensive prices. I'm going to save you some money! I'm sharing my best drugstore-exclusive beauty buys. That's right--I'm skipping the traditional drugstore brands and doing something different. Here are a few (I seriously could have picked more) of the top 3 drugstores.

Walgreens--They have an awesome beauty section and knowledgeable staff. They also wonderful in-house brand called Studio35Beauty. Here are 5 of my must-buy items.

Masques--They have some really great facial masques, with something for every skin type. If I don't feel like making my own, I'll grab a few for when I travel. And they're only a dollar or two!

AHA Face Cream--This is the BEST deal out there. I've bought so many of these for myself as well as family. If you're looking for an exfoliator, give this a try. Note: if you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, do a patch test first. This does have 8% aha (alpha hydroxy acid) and will tingle the skin. It's only $9 and it WORKS for my dry skin.

Textured Cotton Rounds--I have tried just about every cotton pad and cotton round there is. Most end up disintegrating when product, like makeup remover, is applied, but not these! They are textured on one side and are the almost the size of the palm. They are wonderful and are $2.79 for 80!

Heel Sleeves--Sandal weather is coming! Let's get those feet prepare with these heel sleeves. And because I can't stand sleeping in socks. I lose them every night!

BONUS: Jordana--LOVE this much more affordable sister company to Milani. You can also find this brand at Kmart, but thought I'd mention them here. See my best-worst Jordan picks here.

Rite Aid--I love the selection of brands at this store. If I'm looking for a new item and can't find it anywhere, I'll always find it at Rite Aid.

Bye Bye Blemish--I thank Arielle for turning me onto this product, a much more affordable dupe of the Mario Badescu version. Dip a Qtip into the solution (don't shake the bottle) and apply to your pimple. $9.99 as opposed to $17 for the MB version. This can also be purchased at Amazon.

Jessie's Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner--This unique Japanese calligraphy-style brush allows for precise, super-fine application that lets you create lines as small as one millimeter thickness! Combined with a formula that dries super-quick for a smudge-proof application, the liquid eyeliner glides on smoothly without tugging or pulling. Must try for only $6.99

Rite Aid Renewal Sulfate-Free Color Protect Moisturizing Shampoo--This is the affordable version of the L'Oreal one. They have others as well, but this one I have used often.

Julie G Nail Polish--I picked up this brand randomly one day and found out it was created by a famous YouTuber! I love the polishes, the price, and that each color has a sample painted nail so you can actually see what the polish looks like on! $3.99

Rite Aid Makeup Remover Eyelid Wipes--I have super sensitive eyes that require $200 eye drops from a bottle the size of a quarter. I rely on wipes every night to make sure my eyelids are clean and dry. You would like these for makeup remover.

CVS--While they have a great in-house version of products (I love their version of the Garner BB Cream for dry skin) I wanted to feature Nuance, the brand by Salma Hayek. She really, really knows her stuff, especially when it comes to skincare. I don't know why this brand isn't talked about more.

Eye Serum--Instantly improves the appearance of skin firmness, while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Acacia senegal gum helps tone, tighten and firm the delicate skin around the eye area for a more youthful-looking appearance. Vitamin C helps revitalize the skin. Lumisphere, an instant skin brightener, gives the skin a healthy-looking glow.

Retional Capules--Anti-aging, advanced rejuvenation formula helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is pure and active vitamin A that gently penetrates deep into the skin to help enhance elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin ton, while improving overall texture. After just a few nightly uses, skin appears smoother, younger-looking and more radiant as the signs of aging begin to diminish.

Lipstick--Love the formula of this and their Dusty Rose is an absolute dupe for Bobbi Brown's Brownie.

So I was hosting an Oscar party (very informal, trust) and was so bummed with the ENews RedCarpet coverage (as in, there was none). I missed a lot of the red carpet arrivals, so we played catchup on ABC. I'd ask your faves, but I'm sure you've answered that 100 times already on other blogs, right? I loved NPH as host. Lady Gaga was AMAZING, and then Julie Andrews came out and I lost. I always get emotional with the speeches or film subject matter. #stayweird #staydifferent

I had planned on heading back home to see my newborn niece, but wasn't feeling too swift (#disneygerms) so I stayed here and organized my makeup, which took hours, partly because of my ADD! ;)

Since it's the last week of the month, I wanted to remind you of a giveaway that is ending:

Looks like I'm making a trip to Walgreens very soon. I really wish we had CVSs here--that Nuance brand looks interesting. I completely agree with you on the Lady Gaga performance and Judi Andrews coming out.

I am dying to try out that Nuance skincare line bc I'm hoping it would make me look as good as its creator Selma Hayek!! And that liquid liner pen by the brand Jessie's Girl (which I've never heard of!) looks fab and kind of like my favorite Physicians Formula pen!

I don't go into CVS or rite aid, but I am walgreens best customer haha. definitely trying that aha cream and the face masks. I didn't watch the oscars or anything, but have loved looking at the dresses today!

I never really shop at any of these stores, but it sounds like I need to check them out! I want to try that (so convenient) nail polish remover from Walgreens, and the eye serum from the Salma Hayek line sounds great!

I love the Studio 35 products. Their makeup wipes are bomb! I'm not going to lie, I'm an old maid at heart and have the Oscars recorded which will take me two days to get through. However I did watch Lady Gaga's performance this morning and I was speechless. I've always loved Gaga, but she just continues to surprise me. (:

I love the Walgreen's nail polish remover. And the pump is definitely awesome! I like the regular kind, though, because I do the whole soak the cotton and leave it on the nail for like a minute and then wipe. I've found it less messy and removes everything better.

Would you believe I haven't tried a single thing you mentioned?! I will have to check some of those out. Sorry to hear you weren't feeling too good! Not being 100% is really draining. Hope you have a great week!

I love all your budget friendly suggestions! I swear by Philosophy, but could definitely use some cheaper alternatives, especially for traveling. So true about the E (lack of) coverage - such a bummer. Sometimes I forget how talented Gaga is, but I was BLOWN away. Great post, as per usual, girlfriend!

I definitely need a makeup remover pump because I always end up spilling my nail polish remover. You may have already seen my red carpet picks but I loved J. Lo in her princess Elie Saab gown and Rosamund Pink in the red Givenchy? lace gown. Ahh to have access to those designers!

I totally agree that drugstores have really amazing masks! And of course, cotton buds and nail polish remover, I always trust a drugstore! It's amazing that you held an Oscar party! Not many people talked about Keira Knightley's dress, but I loved it. I hope you can see the new baby in the family soon! And also, a makeup swap seems amazing, I never thought of that before!DenisesPlanet.com